The Wheel for February 2, 2017

The Wheel

Tom Thomas- Antarctica

Thomas A. Thomas is the Managing Partner of the Thomas & Mack Co., an investment management and commercial real estate development company. Mr. Thomas has managed the company since its formation in 1992.

After completing his legal studies in 1986, Thomas joined the Valley Bank of Nevada as Vice President and Legal Counsel. Thomas also served as the Regional Vice President for retail banking operations and Senior Vice President over Private Banking and Corporate Trust Services. With the merger of Valley Bank of Nevada into Bank of America in 1992, Thomas left his banking career to formalize the real estate and wealth management operations of the Thomas & Mack Company. The Company owns and operates over 4 million sq. ft. of office and light industrial properties in Las Vegas as well as real estate developments in California, Arizona, and Utah.

Thomas received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance from the University of Utah in 1982 and a Law Degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1986. He is also a graduate of the National Graduate Trust School at Northwestern University.

For over two decades Thomas has been intimately involved with numerous local charitable organizations. He has chaired the UNLV Presidents Associates, the Opportunity Village Foundation Board, the Board of Governors of the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and served as President of the Las Vegas Rotary Club. Thomas was also instrumental in establishing the Thomas & Mack Legal Clinic and the Thomas and Mack Moot Court Facility, both at the UNLV Boyd School of Law. Thomas served as the Chairman of the Capital Campaign for the Engelstad Campus of Opportunity Village and remains actively engaged in that organization.

Thomas currently serves on the following boards:

Southwest Gas Corporation

Nevada State Bank Advisory Board

Switch Ltd

Opportunity Village Foundation

UNLV Academic Corporate Council

Thomas & Mack Legal Clinic at UNLV

Las Vegas Rotary Foundation

BYU President’s Leadership Council

Message From The President

Dear Rotarians,

Today we have yet another presentation by a fellow Rotarian who does many amazing things for our club and for the community. His
topic today, however, is about his equally impressive adventure in Antarctica. So, for a little trivia I thought you might enjoy the following
briefing:

Antarctica is Earth’s southernmost continent. It is almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle, and is surrounded by the Southern Ocean. At 5,400,000 square miles, it is the fifth-largest continent – larger than both Australia and Europe. About 98% of Antarctica is covered by ice that averages 6,200 ft in thickness. That ice contains about 70% of the earth’s known fresh water.

Given that statistic, it is somewhat counterintuitive that Antarctica is actually a desert, with annual precipitation of only 8 inches. The
temperature in Antarctica has reached −128.6 °F. As of 2016, there are about 135 permanent residents, but anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 people reside throughout the year at the research stations scattered across the continent. Organisms native to Antarctica include many types of algae, bacteria, fungi, plants and certain animals, such as mites, nematodes, penguins, seals and ROTARIANS. Yes that’s right – there are actually two Rotary Clubs in Antarctica!

Just one more example of the true global nature of Rotary. Save & Exit
David Thorson

President 2016 -2017
Las Vegas Rotary Club

Scribe – January 26, 2017

President David Thorson called the meeting to order.

Janelle Lozano gave the invocation. Ted McAdam led the club in singing the “My Country ‘tis of Thee.” The Pledge of Allegiance was recited and the Sergeant-at-Arms was Past President Randy Campanale.

There were (0) International Rotarians, (1) Visiting Rotarian and (6) Guests of Rotarians were introduced.

The drawing began at $3,467.00 plus this week’s donations. The winner gets half the pot and half goes to the Las Vegas Rotary Foundation. Ticket Winner: Greg McGuire who won $10! Lawry Bucks Winner: Larry Tomsic.

President David Thorson presented Marie Walsh with a Four Way Test Coin in honor of all her work with the schools and their reading programs.

President David Thorson informed the Club that Past President Randy Campanale had been selected to provide leadership training at the upcoming PETS training in Los Angeles.

Erick Astramecki announced that a few squares on the Superbowl Board were still available and the promptly filled them.

Past President Mary Ann announced that there are openings for students to interview for the opportunity to attend RYLA on April 28-30, 2017. If you know any high school juniors that may qualify, please reach out to Mary Ann or Shawn Noorda. She also recommended that any Rotarians who have never been a facilitator at RYLA should strongly consider applying.

Joe Lee announced that we have an opportunity for a live broadcast at the LV Rotary Car Show on April 23, 2017. In order to secure the broadcast, we will need sponsors to pay for the cost of the broadcast. Sponsors will receive on-air mention.

Marie Walsh announced that the next breakfast with books is on February 14, 2017 at 7:45am. She also announced that the Valedictorian Luncheon is on April 20, 2017.

Jackie Thornhill announced that the next Wetzel Awards is at 3pm on March 23, 2017 at Nellis AFB.

Ted McAdam announced that the Dan Stover Music Contest is on March 9, 2017.

Francesca Gilert announced that the Four Way Speech Contest will be February 23, 2017.

Arleen Sirois announced that the next Wine to Water event will be held at Dr. Kaz Fathie’s home on February 22, 2017 at 6pm. Please bring an appetizer and a bottle of wine to share.

Past President Karen Whisenhunt announced that the Family of Rotary Luncheon will be held Monday January 30 and that the next cigar social will be held on St. Patrick’s Day and will also be a Family of Rotary Event.

Past President Jim Hunt introduced the speaker and Club member, Scott Hunter, a former FBI Agent and currently the President of Hunter Investigative Group. Scott gave the club some insight into how the FBI works and how the organization was effected by the events of 9/11. He also discussed the different types of fraud that happen in Las Vegas and shared a fraud case that he was involved in while serving as an FBI Agent.

President David Thorson presented the speaker with a “Sole Power Award” and adjourned the meeting.